The world’s top canoe slalom athletes return to Lee Valley White Water Centre this summer after the London 2012 Olympic venue was confirmed as host for the first race of the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series (6-8 June 2014).
The world class Lee Valley venue will stage the first of the five events on the 2014 World Cup calendar before the centre comes back into the spotlight in 2015 when it holds the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships (16-20 September).
“The BCU is delighted that Lee Valley White Water Centre is holding the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup. I have no doubt it will be a hugely popular event and I am sure it will keep alive the magic we experienced during London 2012,” said British Canoe Union CEO Paul Owen.
The Lee Valley White Water Centre comprises a technically demanding 300m Olympic standard competition course with a 5.5 metre descent and a 160 metre Legacy Loop with a 1.6 metre descent. It is the base for GB Canoeing’s slalom team, most notably C1 and C2 World Champion David Florence, his C2 partner Richard Hounslow and European Champion Fiona Pennie.
Since Team GB won gold and silver medals at London 2012 the centre has continued to evolve. Over £6 million has been invested into new training facilities, an elite centre, additional car parking and landscaping to enhance the experience for paddlers and spectators.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Chief Executive Shaun Dawson said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup – the first major international competition since the Games – at Lee Valley White Water Centre in 2014.
ICF President and IOC Member José Perurena said: “It is fantastic that we are returning to the home of the 2012 London Olympic Games for the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup. It demonstrates that our sport is truly benefiting from the Games legacy and maximizing the facility’s potential to host world class competition.
“I have no doubt that the event will be a huge success and that the technically demanding course at Lee Valley White Water Centre will, once again, test the world’s best paddlers.”
Tickets for the Lee Valley World Cup will go on sale in February.
For more information visit the Lee Valley White Water Centre or the International Canoe Federation.
